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Four players seeking two utility roles with O's

Four players seeking two utility roles with O's

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Steve Tolleson

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MLB.com |

SARASOTA, Fla. -- While the question marks surrounding the Orioles' pitching staff has dominated early spring headlines, one of the most interesting battles is for the two bench spots, which will largely be a function of several factors.

Right now, outfielder Jai Miller and infielders Matt Antonelli, Ryan Flaherty and Steve Tolleson are essentially competing for two roster spots. Antonelli, Flaherty and Tolleson are utility guys, and with utility player Robert Andino penciled in as the Orioles' starting second baseman given Brian Roberts' uncertain status, manager Buck Showalter said one of the tie-breaking factors between the trio will be the ability to play shortstop and backup J.J. Hardy.

Miller can play all three outfield positions, and if either Antonelli, Flaherty or Tolleson don't prove to be capable in the outfield, the team could take just one of those players and Miller, who would be the team's fifth outfielder. With designated hitter Wilson Betemit not a strong fielder, the Orioles -- on paper -- are an outfielder short. Assuming right fielder Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) is ready for Opening Day, Baltimore could opt to keep two of the those three utility players over Miller, although it would risk losing the outfielder, who is out of options, on waivers.

"If you look at [Endy] Chavez and Nick being left-handed bats, he's a guy who could fit in as an extra player," Showalter said of Miller, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Oakland Athletics. "That's really what his niche is coming in. We've got to get our arms around him defensively and see what he is."

The 26-year-old Miller has played all three outfield positions in the big leagues and hit .276 with 32 home runs and 88 RBIs in 110 games for Triple-A Sacramento in 2011. He also appeared in seven games for the A's, going 3-for-12 with a home run, and the Orioles are intrigued by some of his skills -- including baserunning and speed.

"I just want to show them that I can help the team in any possible way," Miller said of his mind-set this spring. "You try not to focus on [being out of options], because at the end of day, you can't do anything about it. Me, personally, I try to just focus on the things I can control, and that's me playing hard."

Miller, who was roommates with Andino in Class A ball as prospects in the Marlins' system, has struggled with high strikeout numbers in both the Major and Minor Leagues, a significant statistic given both Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis figure to be in the Orioles' lineup.

"It's definitely something I work on, focus on all the time, something I would like to do better with," said Miller, who had 179 strikeouts in 475 plate appearances at Triple-A last season. "But at the same time, you don't want to be up there thinking about it."